State and federal transportation officials, along with the railroad industry, are contemplating two options for easing freight rail congestion in the New Orleans area. One option, known as the "middle belt," is to reroute traffic from Old Metairie to the Hollygrove neighborhood and along Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans. Another, the "back belt," is to keep the current route intact but elevate the track at choke points.

Officially, planners say they are giving equal weight to both options while they conduct a federally required environmental study that weighs social, economic and other effects of both options. That study is projected to be complete within six to nine months.